Harold "Wes" W. Wesley

Harold Warren Wesley, better known as Wes, went to be with the Lord on March 22, 2021. He was born on June 8, 1934 to Sarah E. (nee Rhodes) and G. Warren Wesley in Zanesville, Ohio. He was a graduate of Capital University. Wes was married to Jeannette Weagly on November 10, 1956 and they enjoyed 64 wonderful years together.

Wes had a lifelong passion for flying and began his career as a pilot in the Air Force in 1963. He served at bases across the United States, including California, Texas, Alaska, Arizona, and finally Ohio. Wes flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Meritorious Service Medal. After serving for 26 years, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Throughout his life, Wes was active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, especially at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Dayton and at Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna. Over the years, he had served as the President of the Parish Council and was an active participant in the Music Ministry.

In addition to Jeannette, he is survived by his three sons, Bill (Elizabeth) Wesley of Westerville, OH, Jeff (Julie) Wesley of Tucson, AZ, and Rob (Denise) Wesley also of Westerville, OH; 6 grandchildren, Megan (Wesley) Puckett of Raleigh, NC, Sarah (Alec) Cameron of Tucson, AZ, Matthew Wesley of Westminster, CO, Anne Wesley of Columbus, OH, Elise Wesley and Ian Wesley both of Westerville, OH; and 6 great-grandchildren.

The memorial will be held on April 10, 2021 at 11:00am at Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, OH. There will be a private interment at the Memorial Garden at Peace Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Gahanna, OH or Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH.

High Flight – John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God